Review: Pete Murray at Astor Theatre

Pete Murray’s Solo Acoustic Tour at Astor Theatre
w/ Rachael Fahim, Brett Wood
Thursday, July 31, 2025

It’s not often you witness a multi-platinum artist walk onto a stage with nothing but an acoustic guitar, a harmonica, and a lifetime of stories—but for Pete Murray, simplicity was the whole point.

As one of Australia’s most successful singer-songwriters, Murray has headlined massive shows and shared the stage with the biggest names in the business. But his 2025 solo acoustic tour—a sprawling, 55-date journey through every corner of the country—marks a deeply personal first: an unfiltered, one-man show offering fans the chance to connect with him in his most vulnerable form.

The night opened gently, with the crowd trickling into a warmly lit venue as the sense of anticipation slowly built. Doors opened at 6:45 PM, with the stage set for an evening less about theatrics and more about connection.

Brett Wood, Pete’s longtime collaborator and guitarist of 19 years, was first to take the stage. His solo performance was modest but musically rich, the kind of set that reminds you just how powerful an instrument can be in the right hands. His intricate guitar work was nuanced, his stage presence calm and assured—a quiet masterclass that felt like a deep breath before the emotional plunge of the night ahead.

Next came Rachael Fahim, and the energy shifted dramatically. Striding confidently onstage in a sleek black dress, she delivered a sparkling mix of country-pop melodies and refreshingly honest storytelling. Her set was not only polished—it was confessional, brave, and often laugh-out-loud funny.

From Deep End, inspired by a romantic betrayal at a songwriting camp, to the fierce and unapologetic You Suck, Fahim turned heartbreak into hooky anthems. Her humour—like the story about sobbing in a toilet stall, unaware that her ex was in the next one—added levity to otherwise heavy themes. The brand-new single Who You Are and the empowering closer Bravehearts revealed a maturing voice in Australian music, one to keep a close eye on.

Then the lights dimmed. No grand entrance. Just Pete Murray, stepping into a circle of warm white light, armed with his guitar and that unmistakable baritone. The audience leaned in before he played a note.

He opened with Lines and Bail Me Out, stripped down to their emotional core. These were songs fans had heard for years—but never quite like this. With each chord, Murray seemed to be peeling back the layers of his career and, by extension, his life.

What followed wasn’t just a concert. It was a conversation.

He told stories between songs like chapters of a memoir: how he only picked up a guitar at 22 after a friend (Charlie, who never took the lessons) inspired him, how he went from a sports-obsessed student of natural medicine to an accidental songwriter, and how that same friend, Charlie, died of a brain aneurysm at 32. Murray later named his first son after him. You could hear a pin drop.

10 Ft Tall, drawn from his Summit Eureka album, was paired with the story of a classmate who lost his wife to cancer—her promise to return as a butterfly hauntingly fulfilled at the local pub. These tales weren’t performed at the audience—they were shared with them. It was raw. And utterly captivating.

The night also doubled as a celebration of Murray’s artistic rebirth. Now an independent artist for the first time in two decades, he spoke candidly about re-recording his classic hits, having previously lost ownership of the masters. There was fire in his voice when he introduced I Am Fire, a song about those who resist injustice—perhaps a subtle nod to his own creative liberation.

Brett Wood returned to the stage to join him for a run of upbeat tracks, including Always a Winner and Free, injecting energy into the evening’s second half. Still, even the high-tempo moments never strayed from the night’s soulful foundation.

Among the many highlights of the night was a newly intimate rendition of So Beautiful, while Opportunity, famously performed by John Mayer at the 2006 ARIAs, returned with a fresh sense of nostalgia. The recently released track Home to Me showcased Murray’s continued evolution as an artist, and finally, the emotional closer, Better Days had the whole room singing in unison—a cathartic end to an emotionally rich performance

Pete Murray’s solo acoustic tour is far more than just a nostalgic trip—it’s a masterclass in storytelling, vulnerability, and the timeless power of a song well told. There were no lights, no backup dancers, and no gimmicks. Just a man and his music, still connecting after all these years.

For long-time fans, it was a reminder of why they fell in love with his music in the first place. For newcomers, it was a front-row seat to one of Australia’s most quietly influential voices—up close and unguarded.

As the audience filed out, clutching copies of Murray’s limited-edition acoustic album (available only at these shows), it was clear: this wasn’t just another tour.

Instead, it felt like a homecoming for Pete Murray—a heartfelt return to the beginning of his songwriting journey.

ALEIGHSHA GLEW

Photos by Adrian Thomson